"court" means the Court of Queen's Bench of Manitoba, and includes the Provincial Court of Manitoba in sections 7, 20 and 21, subsection 6.1(2) and clause 14(1)(p); (« tribunal »)

"designated justice of the peace" means a justice of the peace appointed under The Provincial Court Act who, by regulations made under that Act, has been given powers and duties under this Act; (« juge de paix désigné »)

(a) an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes bodily harm or property damage;

(b) an intentional, reckless or threatened act or omission that causes a reasonable fear of bodily harm or property damage;

(c) conduct that reasonably, in all the circumstances, constitutes psychological or emotional abuse;

(d) forced confinement;

(e) sexual abuse.

Meaning of "stalking"

2(2) Stalking occurs when a person, without lawful excuse or authority and knowing that another person is harassed or recklessly as to whether the other person is harassed, repeatedly engages in conduct that causes the other person reasonably, in all the circumstances, to fear for his or her own safety.

(a) following from place to place the other person or anyone known to the other person;

(b) communicating directly or indirectly with or contacting the other person or anyone known to the other person;

(b.1) using the Internet or other electronic means to harass or threaten the other person;

(c) besetting or watching any place where the other person, or anyone known to the other person, resides, works, carries on business or happens to be; or

(d) engaging in threatening conduct directed at the other person or anyone known to the other person.

Certain persons deemed to have fear

2(4) Where, but for mental incompetence or minority, a person would reasonably, in all the circumstances, fear for his or her safety owing to conduct referred to in subsection (2), the person is conclusively deemed to have the fear referred to in that subsection.

4(1) Despite sections 42 (territorial jurisdiction) and 43 (exclusive jurisdiction) of The Court of Queen's Bench Act, an application for a protection order may be made to a designated justice of the peace without notice in the manner prescribed by regulation.

(b) in person, by a lawyer, a peace officer or a person designated in writing by the ministerfor this purpose, with the subject's consent; or

(c) by telecommunication, by a lawyer, a peace officer or a person designated in writing by the ministerfor this purpose, with the subject's consent and in accordance with section 5.

Conduct of hearing

4(2.1) At a hearing on an application for a protection order, the designated justice of the peace may adopt any procedures he or she considers appropriate to put the subject at ease and help the subject understand the application process.

Evidence to be given under oath

4(3) Evidence adduced in support of an application for a protection order must be given under oath.

Submissions

4(4) The subject and any other person described in subsection (2) may make submissions to the designated justice of the peace respecting the application.

Support person

4(5) When a subject applies for a protection order in person, he or she may be accompanied at the hearing by a family member, friend or other person providing support to the subject.

5(1) A person submitting an application for a protection order by telecommunication must

(a) at the time possess any document that is to be used in support of the application;

(b) communicate the content of the document to the designated justice of the peace in a manner satisfactory to the justice; and

(c) transmit the document to the designated justice of the peace as soon as practicable in the manner prescribed by regulation.

Evidence received by telephone

5(2) The designated justice of the peace may administer an oath to a person and receive the person's evidence by telephone if the oath and evidence are recorded verbatim.

J.P. not to wait for transmission

5(3) A designated justice of the peace who hears an application for a protection order need not wait for the transmission of a document under clause (1)(c) before deciding whether to make a protection order.

Effect of order based on telecommunication

5(4) A protection order based on an application submitted by telecommunication has the same effect as a protection order based on an application submitted in person.

6(1) A designated justice of the peace may grant a protection order without notice if the justice determines that

(a) the respondent

(i) is committing or has committed domestic violence against the subject, or

(ii) is stalking or has stalked the subject;

(b) the subject believes that the respondent will continue or resume the domestic violence or stalking;

(c) the subject requires protection because there is a reasonable likelihood that the respondent will continue or resume the domestic violence or stalking; and

(d) due to the seriousness or urgency of the circumstances, the protection order should be made without delay.

Certain persons deemed to have belief

6(2) Where, but for mental incompetence or minority, a person would, in all the circumstances, reasonably believe that the respondent will continue or resume the domestic violence or stalking, the person is conclusively deemed to have the belief referred to in clause (1)(b).

6.1(1) When determining whether to grant a protection order, a designated justice of the peace must consider, in addition to any other relevant consideration, the following risk factors:

(a) the history of domestic violence or stalking committed by the respondent;

(b) the nature of the domestic violence or stalking committed by the respondent;

(c) whether the domestic violence or stalking is repetitive or escalating;

(d) whether the domestic violence or stalking is evidence of a pattern of coercive or controlling behaviour respecting the subject;

(e) other previous incidents of violence committed by the respondent, including any violence against animals;

(f) any mental health concerns involving the respondent;

(g) the current status of any relationship between the subject and the respondent, including any recent separation or intention to separate;

(h) any other circumstances of the respondent that may increase the risk to the subject, such as

(i) substance abuse,

(ii) employment or financial difficulties, or

(iii) access to firearms or other weapons;

(i) any circumstances of the subject that may increase the risk to the subject, such as pregnancy, age, family circumstances, health or economic dependence.

Consideration of legal proceedings

6.1(2) When determining whether to grant a protection order, the designated justice of the peace must consider any information available at the hearing from court registries respecting any criminal proceedings, family law proceedings and other legal proceedings involving the respondent. That information forms part of the record of the hearing.

No bar to granting protection order

6.1(3) The designated justice of the peace may grant a protection order even if one or more of the following circumstances exist:

(a) a protection order has previously been granted against the respondent, regardless of whether the respondent has complied with that order;

(b) the respondent no longer resides in the subject's residence or in the same community where the subject resides;

(c) the respondent is incarcerated at the time the application is made;

(d) criminal charges have been or may be laid against the respondent;

(e) the subject is residing in an emergency shelter or other safe place;

(f) the subject has a history of resuming a relationship with the respondent.

7(1) A protection order granted under subsection 6(1) may include any of the following provisions that the designated justice of the peace considers necessary or advisable:

(a) a provision prohibiting the respondent from following the subject or a specified person from place to place;

(b) a provision prohibiting the respondent from communicating with or contacting the subject or a specified person;

(c) a provision prohibiting the respondent from attending at or near, or entering, any place that the subject or a specified person happens to be or attends regularly, which may include a place where the subject or person resides, works or carries on business;

(c.1) as an exception to a protection order under either clause (b) or (c), a provision that permits the respondent to attend, where the subject is present,

(i) any court proceeding in which the respondent is a party or an accused person, or

(ii) in relation to custody, access or a related family matter,

(A) mediation by a court referral, or

(B) an assessment, investigation or evaluation that has been ordered by a court;

(d) a provision directing a peace officer to remove, immediately or within a specified time, the respondent from the residence;

(f) a provision directing a peace officer to accompany, within a specified time, a specified person to the residence to supervise the removal of necessary personal effects in a safe and orderly manner;

(g) a provision directing the respondent to deliver up to a peace officer — until a further order or disposition is made under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Firearms Act (Canada)or this Act — one or both of the following:

(i) any firearm and ammunition that he or she possesses,

(ii) any specified weapon that he or she possesses;

(h) when an order includes a provision under clause (g), a provision that, if the respondent does not deliver up the items referred to in the order, a peace officer may for the purpose of seizing the items enter and search any place where the officer has reason to believe the items are located, with such assistance and force as are reasonable in the circumstances.

Additional provisions restricting respondent

7(1.1) An order under clause (1)(c.1) must include a provision requiring the respondent to do the following while attending a proceeding referred to in that clause:

(a) remain at least two metres away from the subject at all times;

(b) refrain from communicating with the subject, except in the presence and with the approval of

(i) the judge, master or other officer of the court in a court proceeding, or

(ii) the mediator, assessor, investigator or evaluator;

(c) not remain in any location where the respondent would be alone with the subject.

Order of judge or master re respondent's conduct

7(1.2) Despite subsection (1.1), the presiding judge or master in a court proceeding where both the respondent and subject are present may make a different order restricting the respondent's conduct as the presiding judge or master considers appropriate.

Dealing with items delivered up or seized

7(2) An item delivered up under clause (1)(g) or seized under clause (1)(h) must be dealt with in accordance with the regulations.

7.1(1) If a protection order is granted and the designated justice of the peace determines that the respondent is in possession of a firearm, the order must include

(a) a provision directing the respondent to deliver up to a peace officer any firearm and ammunition that the respondent possesses, until a further order or disposition is made under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Firearms Act (Canada) or this Act; and

(b) a provision that, if the respondent does not deliver up the items referred to in the order, a peace officer may for the purpose of seizing the items enter and search any place where the officer has reason to believe the items are located, with such assistance and force as are reasonable in the circumstances.

Dealing with items delivered up or seized

7.1(2) An item delivered up under clause (1)(a) or seized under clause (1)(b) must be dealt with in accordance with the regulations.

8 A designated justice of the peace who grants a protection order shall immediately arrange for the preparation of a written copy of it.

Protection order expires in 3 years

8.1(1) Subject to subsection (2), a protection order granted on or after the coming into force of this section expires three years after the date it is granted.

Exception

8.1(2) A designated justice of the peace may grant a protection order that expires more than three years after the date of the order if he or she is satisfied that a longer time period is necessary for the protection of the subject.

9 A protection order must be served in the manner prescribed by regulation.

J.P. to forward documents to Q.B.

10(1) A designated justice of the peace who grants a protection order shall immediately forward a copy of the order and each document submitted in support of the application to the nearest judicial centre of the court.

Enforcement of protection order filed in Q.B.

10(2) A protection order and any document forwarded under subsection (1) shall be filed in the court, and when the order is filed it becomes an order of the court and is enforceable as such.

11(1) A respondent against whom a protection order is made may apply to the court within 20 days after being served with the order, or such further time as the court may allow, to have the order set aside or to make an order in relation to an item that has been delivered up or seized pursuant to the order.

Application does not stay order

11(2) A protection order is not stayed by an application under subsection (1).

S.M. 2016, c. 3, s. 10.

Nature of hearing

12(1) The judge hearing an application under subsection 11(1) may confirm or set aside the order or may vary it by deleting clauses or by adding clauses from subsection 7(1) (content of protection order) or make any order in relation to an item that has been delivered up or seized pursuant to the order that he or she considers appropriate.

Onus on respondent

12(2) At a hearing, the onus is on the respondent to demonstrate, on a balance of probabilities, that the protection order should be set aside or that an item that was delivered up or seized pursuant to the order should be dealt with in the manner requested.

Use of evidence from application for order

12(3) The evidence that was before the designated justice of the peace shall be considered as evidence at the hearing, and the subject may present additional evidence.

Adjournment to allow subject to obtain advice

12(4) If the parties to a protection order indicate agreement that it should be set aside but the judge is not satisfied that the subject's agreement is freely and voluntarily given, the judge may adjourn the proceeding to allow the subject to obtain legal or other advice.

13(1) No person shall publish or broadcast in a media report the name of a person who is a party or witness in proceedings relating to an application for a protection order or any information likely to identify the person, until the latest of the following:

(a) dismissal of the application by the designated justice of the peace;

(b) 20 days after service upon the respondent of the protection order granted by the designated justice of the peace;

(c) where an application is made to the court under subsection 11(1) within 20 days after the respondent is served with the order, determination of the application by the court.

Offence and penalty

13(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction

(a) in the case of an individual, to a fine of not more than $5,000. or imprisonment for a term of not more than two years, or both; and

(b) in the case of a corporation, to a fine of not more than $50,000.

Corporate officers and directors

13(3) An officer, director, employee or agent of a corporation who directs, authorizes, assents to, permits or participates or acquiesces in an offence by the corporation under subsection (1) may be convicted of the offence, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.

PREVENTION ORDERS BY COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH

Content of prevention order

14(1) Where, on application, the court determines that the respondent has stalked the subject or subjected him or her to domestic violence, the court may make a prevention order with any terms or conditions it considers appropriate to protect the subject or remedy the domestic violence or stalking, which may include any of the following:

(a) a provision prohibiting the respondent from following the subject or a specified person from place to place;

(b) a provision prohibiting the respondent from communicating with or contacting the subject or a specified person;

(c) a provision prohibiting the respondent from attending at or near or entering any place that the subject or a specified person regularly attends, which may include a place where the subject or person resides, works or carries on business;

(d) subject to any order made under clause 10(1)(b.2) or subsection 10(5) of The Family Maintenance Act, a provision granting the subject temporary exclusive occupation of the residence, regardless of ownership;

(e) a provision directing a peace officer to remove the respondent from the residence immediately or within a specified time;

(f) subject to any order made under The Family Property Act, a provision granting either party temporary possession of specified personal property, which may include vehicles, household furnishings, clothing, medical insurance cards, identification documents and keys;

(g) a provision directing a peace officer to accompany, within a specified time, a specified person to the residence to supervise the removal, in a safe and orderly manner, of personal property owned by a party or granted to him or her under clause (f);

(h) a provision directing the respondent to deliver up to a peace officer — until a further order or disposition is made under the Criminal Code (Canada), the Firearms Act (Canada)or this Act — one or both of the following:

(i) any firearm and ammunition that he or she possesses,

(ii) any specified weapon that he or she possesses;

(i) when an order includes a provision under clause (h), a provision that, if the respondent does not deliver up the items referred to in the order, a peace officer may for the purpose of seizing the items enter and search any place where the officer has reason to believe the items are located with such assistance and force as are reasonable in the circumstances;

(j) a provision requiring the respondent to pay compensation to the subject for any monetary loss suffered by the subject or any child of the subject as a result of the domestic violence or stalking, which may include

(i) loss of income,

(ii) expenses relating to new accommodations, moving, counselling, therapy, medicine and other medical requirements, and security measures, and

(iii) legal fees and other costs relating to making an application under this Act;

(k) a provision prohibiting the respondent from taking, converting, damaging or otherwise dealing with any property in which the subject has an interest;

(l) a provision authorizing the seizure, until further order of the court, of any personal property of the respondent used in furtherance of the domestic violence or stalking;

(m) a provision recommending or requiring that the respondent receive counselling or therapy;

(n) a provision requiring the respondent to post a bond, with or without sureties or a cash deposit, in an amount the court considers appropriate to secure the respondent's compliance with the order;

(o) if the subject and respondent reside or have resided in the same premises, a provision prohibiting the respondent from entering upon the premises while the subject is residing there;

(p) if an order has been made under clause 10(1)(c) (no entry to spouse's premises) or (d) (non-molestation) of The Family Maintenance Act by a judge of the court, a provision revoking that part of the order.

Order re sole occupancy of residence

14(2) Where an order includes a provision under clause (1)(d), subsection 10(6) (right of occupancy restricted) of The Family Maintenance Act applies with necessary modifications.

Dealing with items delivered up or seized

14(3) An item delivered up or seized pursuant to a prevention order must be dealt with in accordance with the regulations.

15(1) Where a respondent has notice that an application for a prevention order includes a request for a provision under this section and the judge making the order is satisfied that the respondent has operated a motor vehicle to further the domestic violence or stalking, the judge may include a provision that, until further order of the court,

(a) any driver's licence that the respondent holds be suspended under the Act under which it was issued;

(b) the respondent be disqualified from

(i) applying for or holding a driver's licence under any Act, and

(ii) operating a motor vehicle.

Impoundment of driver's licence by court

15(2) If the respondent is present in court when an order is made under subsection (1), the court shall impound the respondent's driver's licence.

Where respondent does not have notice

15(3) If the respondent does not have notice that an application for a prevention order includes a request for a provision under this section and the judge making the order is satisfied that the respondent has operated a motor vehicle to further the domestic violence or stalking, the judge may include a provision that, until further order of the court,

(a) no driver's licence be issued or renewed in the respondent's name;

(b) the registrar, as defined in The Drivers and Vehicles Act, may refuse to accept payment from the respondent of any charge payable in relation to the respondent's driver's licence, even though the refusal may lead to the suspension of the driver's licence; and

(c) The Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation, in conjunction with the registrar's refusal under clause (b), may refuse to accept payment of the premium for insurance in relation to the respondent's driver's licence, even though the refusal may lead to the cancellation of the insurance.

Court to send certificate to registrar

15(4) Where a judge includes in a prevention order a provision made pursuant to subsection (1) or (3), the court shall send to the registrar, as defined in The Drivers and Vehicles Act,

(a) a certificate in the form prescribed by regulation; and

(b) in the case of a provision made pursuant to subsection (1), any driver's licence impounded under subsection (2).

Notice of order terminating provision

15(5) Where a judge orders that a provision in a prevention order made pursuant to subsection (1) or (3) be terminated, the court shall send to the registrar a certificate in the form prescribed by regulation.

16(1) The court may at any time after an application for a prevention order is made, on the motion of a party to the application and on notice to the other party, make an interim prevention order on terms and conditions that the court considers fit and just.

Order may be made without notice

16(2) The court may make an order under subsection (1) on a motion without notice if the court is satisfied that it is necessary or advisable to do so to ensure the safety of the subject.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Respondent bound when given notice

17 A protection order and a prevention order take effect on pronouncement, but a respondent is not bound by an order until he or she is given notice of it.

Effect of orders on property interests

18 A protection order and a prevention order do not in any manner affect the title to or an ownership interest in real property or personal property held by the parties to the order or by one of the parties.

Court may vary or revoke order

19(1) The court, on application at any time after a protection order is filed in the court under subsection 10(2) or a prevention order is made under subsection 14(1), may, if satisfied that it is fit and just to do so,

(a) delete or vary any term or condition in the order, or add terms and conditions, which may include any provision mentioned in clauses 14(1)(a) to (p); or

(b) revoke the order.

Adjournment to allow subject to obtain advice

19(2) If the parties to a protection order or prevention order indicate agreement that it should be varied or revoked but the judge is not satisfied that the subject's agreement is freely and voluntarily given, the judge may adjourn the proceeding to allow the subject to obtain legal or other advice.

Certain information to be kept confidential

20 No person shall disclose to another person any information in a court document or record relating to a proceeding under this Act that identifies or is liable to identify the home or business address of a subject, other than information contained in the application for a protection order or prevention order or in the order, or that is necessary to enforce the order.

Court may ban publication of certain information

21(1) On the request of a subject or witness in a proceeding relating to a protection order or prevention order, the court may make an order prohibiting the publication or broadcast in a media report of the name of a party or witness or any information likely to identify the subject or witness, if the court is satisfied that the publication or broadcast could endanger the safety or well being of the subject or witness.

Publication ban re children

21(1.1) In a proceeding relating to a protection order or prevention order, the court may make an order prohibiting the publication or broadcast in a media report of the name of a child or any information likely to identify a child, if the court is satisfied that the publication or broadcast could affect the safety or well-being of the child.

Offence and penalty

21(2) A person who contravenes an order made under subsection (1) or (1.1) is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to the penalties set out in clauses 13(2)(a) and (b).

Corporate officers and directors

21(3) An officer, director, employee or agent of a corporation who directs, authorizes, assents to, permits or participates or acquiesces in an offence by the corporation under subsection (1) or (1.1) may be convicted of the offence, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.

22 In a proceeding relating to an application for a protection order or prevention order, the subject must disclose to the designated justice of the peace or the court the details of any order or agreement to which the subject and respondent are parties, including

(a) an order or agreement respecting custody or access;

(b) an order obtained under clauses 10(1)(c) (no entry to spouse's premises) or (d) (non-molestation) of The Family Maintenance Act; and

(c) a protection order or prevention order obtained under this Act.

Peace officer may assist in identification

23(1) A peace officer who has reason to believe that a person is being stalked and can identify the person who is stalking or is suspected of stalking may, upon the request of the person being stalked, disclose to him or her the name of the other person, and any additional information necessary to identify the other person, for the purpose of facilitating an application for a protection order or prevention order under this Act.

Immunity

23(2) No action or proceeding may be commenced against a peace officer who provides information under subsection (1) in good faith.

Other right of action not affected

24(1) Subject to subsection (2), a right of action or a remedy under this Act is in addition to, and does not affect, any other right of action or remedy available to a person other than under this Act.

No double compensation

24(2) When assessing damages or compensation in an action or proceeding arising out of domestic violence or stalking that is the subject of another action or proceeding, a court shall have regard to any damages or compensation awarded in the other action or proceeding in respect of the same behaviour.

Appeal of Q.B. order to Court of Appeal

25(1) A party to a prevention order or an order made by a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench in respect of a protection order may, within 30 days after the order is made or within such further time as a judge of the Court of Appeal may allow, appeal the order to the Court of Appeal on a question of law or jurisdiction.

Effect of appeal

25(2) An appeal does not operate as a stay of proceedings, and the order under appeal may be enforced as though no appeal were pending unless a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench or a judge of the Court of Appeal otherwise orders.

TORT OF STALKING

Liability of stalker

26(1) A person who stalks another person commits a tort against that person.

Action without proof of damages

26(2) An action may be brought under subsection (1) without proof of damages.

(a) respecting the procedures to be followed for making application and for hearing applications for protection orders, including the transmission of applications for protection orders;

(b) respecting forms, including information to be contained on the form of protection orders and prevention orders;

(c) respecting the forwarding of protection orders and other documents to the court by designated justices of the peace;

(d) for the purpose of sections 11 and 12, respecting the procedures to be followed for making application to set aside protection orders and for hearing those applications;

(e) respecting the handling, storage, forfeiture or disposition of items delivered up or seized pursuant to a protection order or prevention order, including authorizing the court to make orders respecting any of those matters;

(f) respecting the form and manner of serving notices and other documents required to be served or given under this Act, including substitutional service and a rebuttable presumption of service;

(g) for the purpose of clause 14(1)(n), respecting the posting of bonds;